On the role of promoters in hydrogenations on metals; α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones Original Research Article

Promoters of metal catalysts play an essential role in the hydrogenation of unsaturated bonds, such as in carbonylic compounds. This promotion is a key to a high selectivity to unsaturated alcohols in hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. Analysis of the information available in the literature on the adsorptions through the C—C and C—O groups, respectively, together with the information on the catalytic behaviour of the promoter-free and promoted catalysts, allows us to suggest a model of surfaces active in selective hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes.